December 2024 Community of Interest Highlights

The Aging in Community Education & Research (ACER) Community of Interest is a growing platform that facilitates the exchange of emerging trends, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of research opportunities. Designed to foster connections in an informal and collaborative setting, it brings together organizations, faculty, researchers, and students, enabling them to engage and collaborate effectively.

The highlights from our recent CI gathering on Thursday, December 19th, 2024, are as follows:

Participants shared valuable perspectives and innovative ideas, including:

Focusing on identifying mentorship programs in the not-for-profit sector that support older adults and encourage knowledge sharing.

Discussed the Government Initiatives for Seniors that include opening 100 new senior active living centers to support older adults. In addition to that Provincial funding for older adults is increasing, showing a strong commitment to this group.

Advocating for “repurposing unused buildings” by reusing empty buildings, like closed schools, to address housing and community service needs and transforming these spaces for older adults or multi-generational housing solutions.

Sharing Insights on their experience in HR and recruitment, focusing on:

• Healthy aging and older workers.

• Addressing skills gaps and sharing knowledge.

Discussed and shared personal experience as a family caregiver for relatives with dementia, providing informal expertise in caregiving.

Discussed about one-year study at Niagara College that assessed the needs of students aged 50+ at Niagara College. The Key findings include:

• Opportunities for new post-secondary practices for older adults

• Potential for programs or courses tailored to the needs of older students.

Participants also shared some useful links:

1. AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge 2024 Winner! – Change Rangers

2. Find a Seniors Active Living Centre program near you | ontario.ca

3. Meet our Team - Incluzia Inc.

4. Aging Canada 2040: Policy Implications of Demographic Change - CSA Group

5. Ontario Invests in Largest Expansion of Seniors Active Living Centres | Ontario Newsroom

6. Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) - Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

7. VON launches “CAPABLE” program in Nova Scotia communities | VON

Note: The next Community of Interest (CI) meeting is scheduled for noon on Thursday, 16th January 2025, and we invite all those interested in contributing to this vital conversation to join us. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, student, or simply passionate about creating better communities for our older adults, your insights and experiences are valuable to us.